The Gunnison River is formed near the town of Almont by two fine trout streams: the Taylor River and the East River. The East River a freestone stream draining from Emerald Lake near Crested Butte in Colorado’s High Country. The Taylor River is a tailrace river flowing from the Taylor Reservoir and through the Taylor Canyon before joining the East River. Fly fishing on the Gunnison River is excellent because it has some giant trout resulting in part from the abundance of mysis shrimp that escape from the dam on the Taylor Reservoir.
After starting at Almont, the Gunnison River is about seventy-eight miles long and is completely different in that is two very different fisheries. The section from the Blue Mesa Reservoir, up to its beginning near Almont, is referred to as the Upper Gunnison River. The Upper Gunnison is lined with cottonwood trees as it flows across a plateau picking up waters from several tributary streams including the Ohio Creek, Tomichi Creek and Antelope Creek. This section of the river consists of long runs, riffles and many large deep pools. The upper section is affected by the spring runoff and is usually stained starting in May, but clearing about the middle of June.
The lower section of the Gunnison River refers to the section starting below Blue Mesa Reservoir at East Portal and continues down to the confluence of the North Fork of the Gunnison. This lower section of the Gunnison, or the Black Canyon, is a beautiful, wild and almost isolated wilderness area. At times, the stream is 2,000 feet below the path and eagles can be seen soaring above the thermals. The Lower Gunnison is a tailwater and the flows are controlled by the dam. It is known to have a good population of large brown trout as well as some rainbows. Water from the upstream boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument, downstream to the North Fork of the Gunnison River, is classified as Gold Medal Water which means that it is rated as among the best of the state's trout waters.
Fly Fishing the Gunnison:
Starting in March trout can be caught with nymphs, midge larvae and streamers before the runoff settles down usually around mid to late May. However, it is about the middle or the end of June before it becomes better starting with the famous salmonfly hatch. Starting in July, the dry fly fishing improves a great deal with the aquatic insect hatches in full swing. From the middle of August, the Kokanee salmon start their run up the river from the Blue Mesa Reservoir to spawn and this run will last until the end of October. This is an exciting time for the anglers since the salmon are eager to take streamers. However, the salmon must be released and can not be kept. The large brown trout in the Blue Mesa Reservoir begin to move up the river to spawn in October which provides anglers a great opportunity as well.
The lower section of the Gunnison consists mostly of pocket water with deep pools, riffles and long runs. Some anglers fish this section by hiking down into the canyon and camping at the designated camp sites. However caution is the order of the day because the hikes to the bottom of the canyon are extremely strenuous due to the steep unmaintained and unmarked gullies. This pristine area is controlled by strict rules that help to maintain its beauty. However, a drift boat is the best option especially if the water is high. The brown trout average about 15 to 16 inches with some occasionally larger. The rainbows have suffered from whirling disease but are making a come back since some disease resistant rainbows have been released into the Gunnison by the local chapter of the TU. Indeed, some rainbows prove to be larger than the browns.
Spring:
Start in March with nymphs and midge hatches folowed by the Blue Winged Olives, Short Horned Sedge, Little Black Caddis and March Browns in April and May. The Black Winged Olives are bi-broodal and will hatch again from the second week in August through October. If you have not tried the Perfect Flies available at the Troutprostore, you are missing a great opportunity as they are the best to imitate the natural aquatic insects.
Summer:
Look for hatches of the Western Green Drake, Dark Red Quill, Pale Morning Dun and the Green Sedges as well as the famous Salmonfly. Terrestrials like grasshoppers and ants will be well served.
Fall:
The Kokanee salmon start their run in August continuing through September and they love to take streamers. October will also contain some late BWO hatches.
Winter:
This is a most difficult season to fish due to the heavy snows.
The Gunnison is a remarkable river and well worth a trip for some excellent fly fishing and scenery however, be especially careful not to spread the whirling disease.
Access is easy however much of the land is private, but it can be accessed especially through the Colorado Division of Wildlife leases of Van Tyul and Redden. The Redden, however, is builtup and used for water sports so it is not as desireable. In the canyon as discussed above, the recommended approach is with drift boats. If you must hike down, there are several trails and with the easiest (but longest) is the Ute Park Trail which leads to about three miles of fishing.
Discussed above in the seasons.